The RFL strike again.
There will be 27 teams left in the final qualifying round !
It should have been 18 1st round ties plus 4 byes, leaving 22 teams.... 11x 2nd round ties leaving 11 winners plus the remaining 17 in the final qualifier....

RFL showing terrific timing again, teams fixtured games to win their respective divisions, or to win promotion or fight relegation, now got 2 cup weekends. Also any team gaining promotion from the 1st division, would not normally enter these rounds. Another last minute idea from the powers that be. I believe Egremont have 5 league games left, a couple of bad weather weeks and they will be still playing in January.

The RFL strike again. There will be 27 teams left in the final qualifying round ! It should have been 18 1st round ties plus 4 byes, leaving 22 teams.... 11x 2nd round ties leaving 11 winners plus the remaining 17 in the final qualifier....

28 teams wouldn't work either. Some or all Championship 1 sides are entering an earlier round.Edit: or not all new clubs are entering

RFL showing terrific timing again, teams fixtured games to win their respective divisions, or to win promotion or fight relegation, now got 2 cup weekends. Also any team gaining promotion from the 1st division, would not normally enter these rounds. Another last minute idea from the powers that be. I believe Egremont have 5 league games left, a couple of bad weather weeks and they will be still playing in January.

Entry is based on this season status,. not potential league movement.

The 'dog fights ' are also recognised , with any need for game movement ' in built ' if actually necessary. Much better to see how it actually pans out......

But, the purpose of playing these rounds at the end of this season, was to not to start as early as this year 2012.Guess what! there are 2 more qualifying rounds that will still have to start as early next year !!!

Just a thought as the NCL teams won't reach the final stages unless a mighty plague hits all the pro ranks. Why not have a Plate competition for all teams knocked out at round two.

There was a plate competition in 1997 in the competition proper. It was panned - silly to give teams an incentive to lose. Better to reward teams that win at a particular stage, like the Captain Morgan Trophy in 1974.

Just a thought as the NCL teams won't reach the final stages unless a mighty plague hits all the pro ranks. Why not have a Plate competition for all teams knocked out at round two.

I think there is already too many games a club play in a season. Just look at Egremont this season, had a decent Challenge Cup run early on and getting to the final of the NCL Challenge Trophy has left them with league games running into November! And then theres next years Challenge Cup to deal with too...

I think the Plate idea would put too much pressure on clubs with an already congested fixtures through the summer game. I personally don't think its needed.